771 episodes
- For years, rookies have heard the same bad news: starter homes are disappearing, and first-time buyers are getting older. But the newest data shows something very different, and we’re breaking down how these recent changes can help you buy your first or next rental property in 2026!
Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Nationally, fewer than four in 10 non-homeowner households can afford a typical starter home. But in some states, things are getting a little easier. We’re breaking down where this market opening exists, where the headlines can be misleading, and how to turn a smaller new construction home or an overlooked resale home into a profitable investment property.
We’re also sharing our own starter home stories, the difference between an affordable home and a “cheap” one, and a five-part screening checklist that will help you separate the two before making an offer. Whether you’re looking to buy a house or find a more affordable real estate market to invest in, stay tuned to learn exactly how to spot a smart next deal!
In This Episode We Cover
What a starter home really looks like in today's market
Which real estate markets have the most affordable starter homes for sale
The critical difference between an affordable and “cheap” rental property
How to take advantage of builder incentives on new construction homes
Why "mom and pop" resale homes are some of the best real estate deals in 2026
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-762.
Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices - What if the biggest obstacle to building wealth wasn't your income, your time, or even your circumstances, but simply believing it was possible for someone like you? Today’s guest made the decision that her past won’t be her children’s future. Real estate made that choice possible!
Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Angela Wassom is proof that real estate really can be for anyone that puts their mind to it. While working full-time and raising seven kids, she's built a 20-unit portfolio across four states—starting with a rental she was genuinely afraid to take on. Angela breaks down how she built a team in markets she'd never set foot in, spotted a listing mistake that turned into a five-figure win, and used one financing strategy to fund nearly every deal since!
She also shares the story of a lender who finally said yes after everyone else said no, and the tenant placement that brought her whole journey full circle. By the end of this episode, you'll see exactly how much is possible with the time and resources you already have!
In This Episode We Cover
How growing up in HUD housing shaped Angela’s mindset of becoming a landlord
Building a remote investing team in markets you’ll never set foot in
The MLS listing mistake that turned into a $10,000 repair windfall
How a HELOC strategy has funded nearly every deal for Angela
Why every lender said no to Angela’s newest short-term rental, until one didn't (and why it was so worth it!)
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-761.
Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices - Feel like your situation doesn't fit the typical real estate investing playbook? Maybe you’re low on cash, your circumstances are unusual, or your timeline feels tighter than everyone else's. You're not alone, and today's episode proves it. But thankfully, we’ve got answers!
Welcome to another Rookie Reply! We’re back with three questions from the BiggerPockets Forums, the first of which comes from a rookie who has very little money saved: Can you buy a rental property with just $5,000? We’ll share some creative ways to get started with low money down!
Next, we’ll hear from someone who wants to invest in U.S. real estate from another country, pointing them to the tools and resources they’ll need to invest remotely. Finally, is it ever too late to start investing? Maybe you’re already eyeing retirement and wondering if rental properties can even fit into your overall strategy. Stick around until the end to find out!
Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here!
In This Episode We Cover
A decade-long plan for late starters looking to retire with real estate
How to turn your primary residence into an entire real estate portfolio
Using creative financing (like seller financing) without taking on extra risk
Why you need cash reserves with every real estate deal
How to build your own real estate team when investing remotely
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-760.
Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices - The best real estate investing advice you'll ever hear is to just get started. But that advice comes with a catch: some rental properties can set you back many years. Today, we're sharing six red flags to watch out for, so you can know if you’re actually buying a good real estate deal—not a trap!
Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Some deals can be incredibly convincing when you run the numbers. They might look profitable. They may have less competition, a lower purchase price, and a story that makes you believe you've found a diamond in the rough. But beneath the surface, these properties come with all kinds of issues and risks. We're breaking down six types of properties we'd steer clear of—from D-class properties that see very little appreciation to properties trapped inside HOA neighborhoods.
If you're not careful, these properties can drain your time, eat through your cash reserves, and create unnecessary stress. We're telling you exactly what to watch for, and why, especially if you're a rookie investor!
In This Episode We Cover
The six “worst” types of rental properties we’d never invest in
Why D-class neighborhoods may look tempting but give you little appreciation
The HOA red flags that can quietly erode your rental cash flow
Why buying a property with only one exit strategy is (very) risky
Why investing in flood zones can cause your insurance costs to spiral
The dangers of buying a rental property with negative cash flow
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-759.
Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices - The first real estate deal is often the hardest. Like many rookie investors, today’s guest had always wanted to invest in real estate but didn’t have a ton of money to buy an investment property. But by getting creative, DIY’ing renovations, and forming strategic partnerships, he’s been able to not only get in the game but also snowball to 13 deals!
Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Jake McVey spent years absorbing everything he could about real estate investing while working in an entirely different industry, but never quite pulling the trigger. At 23, that all changed. He used the “long-term BRRRR” method to turn his primary residence into his first rental property, and six years later, he and his dad have completed roughly a dozen house flips together!
In this episode, Jake breaks down how a HELOC (home equity line of credit) got their real estate investing partnership off the ground, a renovation project so strange that it made them rethink the due diligence process, and the day a finished flip nearly fell apart during an open house. Whether you’re looking to string a few flips together or improve at renovations, Jake’s lessons on “conservative” deal analysis, creative finance, and managing contractors could help you on your very next deal!
In This Episode We Cover
How Jake and his dad have completed 13 real estate deals in just six years
Making a $50,000 profit on one flip, even after his rehab budget doubled
How to turn your primary residence into a long-term BRRRR
Using a HELOC (home equity line of credit) to help fund your real estate deals
Why you should always get an inspection before doing renovations
The pros and cons of forming a real estate partnership with family
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-758.
Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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About Real Estate Rookie
New to real estate investing and not sure where to start? Ashley Kehr and Tony J. Robinson break down the basics with real-world deal analysis, investor interviews and listener Q&A.
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